The Houston Rockets possessed confidence and high goals before the season started. More than a few league observers predicted the Rockets would reach the NBA Finals.

The Rockets are fifth in the Western Conference standings. And they must adapt to Tracy McGrady's decision last week to have season-ending surgery -- and a change in starting point guards after trading Rafer Alston just before Thursday's trade deadline.

But don't write them off.

Through all the obstacles, the team has managed to remain competitive and in the hunt for a division title and home-court advantage in the playoffs under coach Rick Adelman.

"This has been -- by far -- the toughest season we've had since I've been with Rick," said Houston assistant coach Elston Turner, who has been with Adelman for eight NBA seasons (six in Sacramento, the last two in Houston). "But this is one of Rick's best jobs as coach."

The Rockets' home game against Portland tonight could be a preview of a first-round playoff matchup. Both teams are playing well going into tonight's contest. The Rockets have won four consecutive games, while the Blazers have won three in a row.

The Rockets are one-half game behind the Blazers for the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The top four seeds in the conference earn home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Rockets will play the game without McGrady, who is expected to have surgery on his sore left knee today. But McGrady's absence could help team chemistry, even though he is a seven-time All-Star with the ability to create his own shot and draw double-teams that leave teammates open.

McGrady's deliberate style does not always mesh with Adelman's offense, which emphasizes motion, cutting and passing. Also, the Rockets were miffed that they found out about McGrady's impending surgery through the media. And the Rockets have won 15 of the 21 games McGrady has missed this season.

Many of Houston's key players have missed games this season, including Shane Battier (22 games), Ron Artest (13) and Yao Ming (three). But McGrady's fluctuating daily status was preventing the team from developing any chemistry within the lineup.

"The guys we have are the ones who must play well if we want to get into the playoffs," Turner said. "Tracy is not going to be out there, and we'll have to trust each other to get things done."

Another major change occurred when the Rockets traded Alston to Orlando and acquired Kyle Lowry from Memphis as part of a three-team deal Thursday. The biggest fallout from the trade is the installation of Aaron Brooks at starting point guard. Brooks averaged 13 points and 5.5assists in the first two games as a starter, helping the Rockets to wins in both.

"The door is definitely open for him to run this team," Turner said. "We know he's capable, he just has to get out on the court and do it. It's up to him."

To take advantage of Brooks' and Lowry's speed, Adelman is tweaking the offense and wants a faster pace.

"It's to their advantage to get it up the court," Adelman told the Houston Chronicle. "If we get to that point, now you can see the flowing offense (that) the other team cannot lock into. We've done it in stages but not enough ... it's really important he (Brooks) picks and chooses his spots."

The Rockets don't have a lot of time to adjust to the absence of McGrady and a second-year point guard learning to lead the team on the fly. They know that a significant losing streak could drop them from securing home-court advantage to out of the playoffs completely during the final stretch of the regular season.

If the Rockets can replace McGrady's production by committee, remain healthy and remain solid in the backcourt, they could still be able to fulfill those lofty preseason predictions.